JJ, whose full name is Johannes Pietsch, was Austria’s third Eurovision winner, after bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst in 2014 and Udo Jürgens in 1966
Austria’s JJ received a hero’s welcome at Vienna airport this Sunday, after taking the title at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with his chart-topping hit Wasted Love. The scene was one of celebration as hundreds of fans erupted into cheers as JJ made his grand entrance through the arrivals gate.
Devotees of the 24-year-old countertenor, who is also a performer at the Vienna State Opera, were seen blasting his winning track, eager to embrace him and grab his autograph. Victorious and visibly moved, JJ, whose offstage name is Johannes Pietsch, beamed as he waved his trophy alongside a sizeable bunch of roses, declaring to all present that “that victory is for you.”
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With three Eurovision wins under its belt, Austria celebrates JJ’s triumph, joining ranks with past victors including the iconic Conchita Wurst and Udo Jürgens.
Overwhelmed with emotion, JJ reflected on his incredible achievement post-victory in Basel, acknowledging the surreal nature of his success, stating, “This is beyond my wildest dreams. It’s crazy,”.
Top officials didn’t hesitate to share their pride; President Alexander van der Bellen heralded JJ’s spectacular win online, proclaiming, “What a success! What a voice! What a show!” The entire nation basked in the glory, according to the president.
Adding to the avalanche of praise, Chancellor Christian Stoecker took to social media, exclaiming, “What a great success – my warmest congratulations on winning #ESC2025! JJ is writing Austrian music history today!”.
The Vienna State Opera is over the moon with the recent win. Bogdan Roscic, the opera director, told APA: “From the Magic Flute to winning the Song Contest is somehow a story that can only take place in Austria,”.
Cities across Austria didn’t waste any time showing their eagerness to host next year’s contest. Innsbruck’s Mayor Johannes Anzengruber suggested to APA that “not everything has to take place in Vienna. … Austria is bigger than that,” while Oberwart in Burgenland and Wels in Upper Austria also expressed their desire to host the event.
JJ himself, fresh from his Saturday night victory, expressed his hope that Vienna would be chosen for the next ESC, an event he’d relish hosting alongside his mentor, Conchita Wurst.
Controversial Israeli singer Yuval Raphael clinched second place, with the entrant’s participation being hit with criticism over the country’s bombardment of Palestine, which had resulted in over 52,000 deaths.
In the glow of triumph at a press conference, JJ shared that the essence of his song about unrequited love is that “love is the strongest force on planet Earth, and love persevered.
“Let’s spread love, guys,” declared JJ, expressing his pride at being the first Eurovision champion of Filipino heritage and a proudly queer winner.
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